My journey with Harry

So many bloggers have written of their love for Harry around the time the last movie came out, and I've been wanting to do the same. I realize I've missed jumping on Hogwart's Express with the rest of book blogdom, so I decided to take the Knight Bus and arrive late to the party. (hahaha). I figure late is better than not arriving at all. Even if my contribution is rather long and boring. But it's a post for me, not so much you, so I'm not feeling bad about being long. And boring.

How We Met:

I first came across Harry Potter in the summer of 1999. I was home for the summer between my freshman and sophomore years of college. My mom had a teacher friend who was raving about the Harry Potter books so she bought a copy of the first 2,  Harry Potter and the Sorcerers Stone and Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, from Barnes and Noble. I, of course, could not resist picking them up, though I knew absolutely nothing about them. I began by reading the Chamber of Secrets because I didn't know what order they went in. I didn't get far before I figured out my mistake--it was super confusing. But once I read them, in order, I was IN LOVE. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban came out that September. It was my favorite of the three.

You know when you read something that is so wonderful you want to share it with everyone? (of course you do--isn't that why we blog?) That was me. My younger sister isn't much of a reader, but I kept insisting that she read HP. She wouldn't. So Christmas break 1999 I began reading the first HP book to her before bed (we shared a room). It only took a few chapters before she didn't need me anymore and she read all three herself. Really, you'd think she'd know to listen to her big sister. Sadly, she still hasn't learned.

I also shared the love with my roommates. I got the first three HP books for Christmas that year and brought them up to school where all three of my roommates took turns reading them. Julie and Amy loved right along with me, but Katie wasn't much of a fan. Which was okay. She still joined in crushing on our neighbor, a boy with the last name Potter. I don't remember his first name, or even what he looked like, but at the time all four of us obsessed about him purely because of his last name. I don't think he knew we existed, but didn't stop us from loving him from afar.

Interestingly enough, it was this year (1999-2000) that the big hullabaloo over Harry Potter teaching children evil sorcery really began (at least to my recollection). A fellow student was writing a paper for a class (I remember what class or why this topic) asking the question, "Is Harry Potter Evil and Bad for Children?" I am not joking. She interviewed me as one of her sources. I, of course, was of the opinion that he wasn't.

Falling More Deeply in Love:
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire was published July 2000. Media Play was having a party and a midnight release of the book. I believe it was the first time they'd ever done this. My sister and I were so totally there. We arrived around 9pm and were disappointed to see that all the activities were for the little kids, none were for kids-at-heart. So we got in line and the employees STARTED HANDING OUT BOOKS. Yes, they did. We were fifth and sixth in line to check out, and from 10 to midnight while waiting, we were standing in line READING the book before it was officially released. It was awesome.

In all honesty, when I began reading HP and the Goblet of Fire, I was disappointed. The feeling and set up of the novel was so different from the first three. The first chapter is about He-Who-Shall-Not-Be-Named killing the poor Riddle care taker. It was darker and grittier and different than I wanted it to be. There was a loss of innocence for Harry, and I missed that. But by the end, I loved it just as much as the others, possibly more so. I accepted that Harry and his world was changing.

My sister and I went to the midnight release of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix June 2003, but this time Media Play did not let us read the book in line. We had to wait until midnight. Bummer. The same with Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince in July 2005. My sister and I had races to see who would finish the books first. She'd get so mad because it was usually me. We'd get very little sleep for the days it took us to read the books. I remember us having rooms down the hall from each other and yelling frustrations or exclamations of excitement as we were reading the same book. My parents would read the books after us and then we'd have epic dinner discussions.

When the last book was released July 2007, the Main City Library in Salt Lake City had a huge release party. By this time, libraries and book sellers had realized that HP wasn't just for kids, but for adults, too. They had party activities for all ages. Smart move on their part, and a lot of fun and fanaticism on mine.  

A bunch of us attended the library party, then went to the big Barnes and Noble store in Salt Lake to pick up our pre-ordered books. They were also having a party. There were HUNDREDS of people, many of them dressed up, waiting in line to pick up their book, but I'd gotten a ticket earlier in the day and had a number in the early 100s, so the wait wasn't so long for me. The line wrapped all around the mall, outside the store entrance. It was crazy. And then we stayed up all night reading the books.

I've read all of the books at least twice, the early ones I reread each time a new book was coming out. I love them so very much. Though that doesn't mean some aspects dont irritate me. Dumbledore not avoiding Harry in book five? LAME. Harry having an attitude in book five? LAMER. Harry's obsession with Malfoy in book six? ANNOYING. The whole, long episode of Grawp? BORING. But over all, I love Harry and his adventures.

What I Love about Harry Potter's books:
I love story arcs that build through multiple books. I loved that about HP. With each book, the story got more invovled and the stakes are raised so much more.  Each of the stories had a twisted ending (except for maybe the fifth) that was so surprising and cool. The whole world of magic was new and fresh and so fun to read about. And of course the characters--Umbridge wasn't evil like Voldemort, but she was evil in her own way. Characters were never black and white, there was a lot of gray in there as well. I loved Neville and Sirius and Snape. I loved them all, which kept me up reading late into the early morning.

Talking Pictures with Harry Potter:
I love how the people in pictures in HP's magical world move, so what could be better than Harry Potter walking around on a screen real to life? For me, a lot.

Harry Potter and the Sorcerers Stone came out Friday November 16, 2001. I remember the date well because I was leaving the country for eighteen months as a missionary for my church (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (or Mormons)) on November 14, 2001 and for that whole eighteen months I would not be watching any movies. But I loved Harry so very much! I was really lucky because I won tickets to see an advanced screening for the movie on November 12th! It was very exciting.

However, the movie was anything but. I sat in the theatre for over two hours utterly and completely bored. BORED. It was actually lucky for me because then I didn't spend eighteen months pining for a movie that sucked. 

In general, I have a hard time letting go of the book when a movie is made from it. I try, really I do, but the books tend to be so much better and the movies aren't what I think they should be. Having said that, I don't love the HP movies. The first two are so boring, and in a lot of the others they change little things that either make no sense or are only to make it more exciting and in doing so, they make it less exciting and just ridiculous. The dragon escaping and chasing Harry all over Hogwarts in The Goblet of Fire is just one example.

A month before the last movie came out, I hosted a Harry Potter Mega Movie Marathon and watched all seven. We started Friday night by watching the first two, then began at 8:30am Saturday morning with movie 3 and finished movie 7 at 11pm Saturday night. It was Epic. I don't think they make much sense unless you've read the books. Jaye, who has not read the books, concures. There are things I like about all the movies (except the first two), but also things that bother me about all the movies.

As for the last movie...it was good. Some little things were a tad silly (since when do tears contain memories?) but mostly I felt like the ending battle with Voldemorte and his snake was beyond annoying. Another example of trying to sensationalize something beyond what was needed. And the whole sequence with Nagini at the end was just so not epic, when it was just so cool in the book. Though I will admit I got teary-eyed mulitiple times while watching the movie.

What I've heard more than anything as I've eavesdropped on conversations about the book is that people were disapointed in the last five minutes. The characters didn't look older, they just looked ridiculous. That didn't bother me at all.

Yes, I freely admit I am picky. And because of that, I will stick to the books. But I did really like this picture.

In Conclusion:
I did warn you this was long and boring. If you actually read this whole epistle, you deserve a prize.

review: Hush by Eishes Chayil

pub date: September 14, 2010
publisher: Walker Books for Young Readers
pages: 368
appeals: realistic fiction, contemporary, abuse, based on a true story
content: sexual abuse

thoughts:
I read this book almost two months ago now, and wish I'd written my review then instead of now. Since I waited so long, the details and specifics of the story are hazy and I don't have as much to write as I did at the beginning of May. Which sucks because I thought this was an amazing book.

Hush affected me for weeks after I finished. I talked about it to everyone because I was so horrified by what had happened to the protagonist's childhood friend and many other children in Borough Park. I appreciated the strength of the protag in writing this story and not hiding it or ignoring what was going on in her own community.

Hush wasn't written with beautiful descriptions or a fast-paced plot. Parts were too long and somewhat slow. At times the writing was child-like. But the story told was honest and heart-felt and scary. The story grabbed me and broke my heart. It is powerful. One that I think needs to be read.   

summary:
Inside the closed community of Borough Park, where most Chassidim live, the rules of life are very clear, determined by an ancient script written thousands of years before down to the last detail and abuse has never been a part of it. But when thirteen-year-old Gittel learns of the abuse her best friend has suffered at the hands of her own family member, the adults in her community try to persuade Gittel, and themselves, that nothing happened. Forced to remain silent, Gittel begins to question everything she was raised to believe.



A richly detailed and nuanced book, one of both humor and depth, understanding and horror, this story explains a complex world that remains an echo of its past, and illuminates the conflict between yesterday's traditions and today's reality.

the best place to get books?

At the library we had a binder of book reviews written by teens. It was meant as a way for teens to get and give recommendations. 

I was looking through the binder and a 12 year old girl wrote something like, "Hannah Montana is my idol. I love all of the books about her. If you want to learn more about the Hannah Montana books go to your nearest Wal-Mart."

Huh!?!? Wal-Mart? She's in a library and she's referring people to Wal-Mart?

I laughed pretty hard at that one. I still think it's funny. Sad, but funny.

Rick Riordan author signing

Tonight the King's English bookshop in Salt Lake City hosted Rick Riordan, fabulous author of the Lightning Thief series, and the Red Pyramid series, and the brand new Heroes of Olympus series. The thing I enjoy so much about his books, besides the killer plots with action that never stops, and wonderful characters, is the humor. It's so subtle but so funny. I found myself laughing so many times while reading his books. And that's one of the reasons why it was so great to go tonight. He's funny in person, too. Everyone was laughing at his jokes. He's also a very charismatic speaker, very interesting to listen to.

I tried to take some pictures. Except that I didn't have my camera because I let a friend borrow it so I just had my phone. The lighting wasn't the best.

And then the spotlight finally found Rick and it was even worse.

I really need to get a kid to go to these things with me. I'm going to have to borrow one. There were so many children and younger teens there with their parents. And then there was 30-year-old me with my 60-year-old mom. I felt a little silly. But the two girls sitting next to us were hilarious. They were probably about ten or eleven. Before hand they were talking about who their Olympian parent was and one of the girls was the daughter of Poseidon, Zeus, and Athena. Wow. Then while Rick was talking their giggles were so cute. When Rick said, in response to a question, that he hadn't watched The Lightning Thief movie, a couple of people hollered out that it wasn't very good and those two girls were very vocal about it, too. One yelled something like, "It's a good thing. It was bad." Seriously loud.

I get a kick out of going to hear authors speak. At the end of last month I went to The King's English to see Kiersten White and get Paranormalcy signed. She'd just had her book reach the New York Times bestseller list and she was ecstatic, to say the least. She read a part of her book and it was fun to hear Evie's voice with her inflections. Great time. Another phone pic since I forgot my camera. (I probably should've cropped it before posting--nice framing with an arm and an ear, eh?)

And then at the beginning of the month I saw James Dashner at a Youth Services Librarian conference. He talked about how libraries have influenced his life, which is awesome for librarians to hear about. Really. Also about the surreal experience of meeting Judy Bloom (who isn't dead), his book maybe becoming a movie and about his new book that was coming out, and now is out, The Scorch Trials. I think my favorite was when he told us he goes to a movie practically every afternoon because it keeps his creative juices flowing. Wow. I want to do that...I also got his signature in my book of The Maze Runner, which was FREE.

As much as I enjoy hearing authors speak and meeting them, I always act like such an dork whenever I'm standing right there. I never know what to say! So I either say nothing or say really silly things to the effect of, "I really like your book." Which I'm sure everyone tells them as they're signing books.

I feel as if I'm being followed...

Creepy!

Okay, so through some fun contests I've had, I've managed to acquired a few followers. And, well, um...

Truth be told, I'm not sure what to do with you all.

This is all new to me--writing reviews, blogging regularly, having something to say that someone else might want to read, being social active online, and figuring out how to overcome my technological ignorance. I keep telling myself that it's not that hard and I'll get it eventually and I can only get better, I just need to practice. I have a lot more to learn! And yet, for some reason over 100 fellow bloggers have decided to follow my incompetent ramblings.

Yay! Don't get me wrong, I'm super excited to be a part of this wonderful book blogging network. I'm just not sure how to make my blog worth your time. Because I know that there are A LOT of blogs out there. I follow many of them. I just don't have time to read and comment on all of them like I want to. I'm assuming you're the same.

Anyway, I just wanted to say Thanks! And I'll try to be worth your time!

book reference

Last night I went up into the canyon with some friends to have a bonfire and tin foil dinners. I was already hungry and after eating my dinner I was still hungry. So I made a second (which I burned in my impatience). Yeah, still hungry. So when I got home I ate two bowls of Special K cereal. Even after that, I went to bed hungry. As I lay in bed, it definitely reminded me of Katnis and her hollow days. Though I'm sure I ate way more by lunch than she ever got in 24 hours. Still

On the way up the canyon my friend Bex was talking about teeth. (By way of explanation, she works in a dentists office). After teeth she moved on to dentures. For some reason it reminded me of Unwind by Neal Shusterman (I'm a big fan. He's awesome). I began to regal everyone with the intricacies of unwinding, how they wouldn't need dentures, they could just got brand new teeth. (Well, used teeth, but they were only 10 years old, so practically new). And they would have no need for glasses or contacts, because they could just get new eyeballs from a 16-year-old. Bazaar conversation, I know.

I just find it fun when life reminds me of books. Especially when I get to talk about them.  

will you sign my book?

Something that I really enjoy doing is listening to authors talk. Two weekends ago I went to the evening event of Writing for Charity in Sandy, UT. I was disappointed that I wasn't able to go for the writing workshop in the morning/afternoon. I've gone the two previous years, and it's a lot of fun. I contented myself with just the evening because, like I said, I love listening to writers talk. Its fascinating for me to hear about their experiences in writing, getting published, how they write, why they write. Authors are the coolest people in the world. Really. The Writing for Charity Evening Event was different than I expected. I was a little disappointed we didn't get to hear more from the authors, but they had already had a long day so I guess I'm over it.

Afterward they had author signings.

Something that I've been thinking about a lot lately is getting author signatures. I have a lot of books that authors have signed as I have gone to different events at libraries and bookstores to hear them speak. But I've begun to wonder why I care. What does a signature really mean?
I've been to Shannon Hale events at least six different times so every book I own by her (which is all of them) has her signature. A few years ago I watched her kids when she did an assembly at my mom's school. But does it mean anything, really? I might be able to prove I met her or that I stood in line forever to get a signature, but that doesn't mean I know her. She definitely doesn't know me. I'm one of thousands. It's a very superficial connection. So why do I care? Because I do care.

Just because I think these things about signatures doesn't mean I'll stop waiting in line to get them as I stalk my favorite authors. If nothing else, it's just a lot of fun. And good memories.

What about you? How do you feel about getting authors to sign your books?

hair vs. book

Today during lunch there was a wonderful storm, including thunder and I'm assuming lightning, though I couldn't see it. It was magnificent. The clouds were dark and thick, blocking out a lot of the sun. It looked like 8:30 pm. The rain kept coming, literally a down pour.

My good friend and coworker, Jaye, and I opened the staff room door and took it all in for a few minutes. Mostly we watched people running to and from the library. We whisper-yelled, "protect your book!" because the patrons weren't protecting their library books! Ack!

One particular girl ran past with her library book OVER HER HEAD(!!), protecting her hair!

"Protect the book!" Jaye said.

"You're hair will live another day, that library book wont!" I continued.

Near the end of our observation a mother ran past towards the library entrance with two little children. She had a towel over her head. Her children didn't.

"Protect the children!"

****later--I'm rereading this and it sounds like we were heckling the patrons. I LOVE our patrons. I would never heckle them. Jaye and I were just sad to see our books getting wet and were sharing a joke. Really, they couldn't hear us.